Report: Why public perception poses a threat to a resilient Net Zero energy transition

Summary

A number of major obstacles line the UK’s path to Net Zero. From energy security risks linked to global conflicts and the rise in extreme weather, to aging grid infrastructure and a sharp increase in energy demand. But another critical obstacle often goes overlooked: public perception. 

Public opposition to clean energy initiatives is increasingly becoming a major barrier in the UK. Wavering public support and the rise of ‘Not-in-my-backyard’ (NIMBY) attitudes are slowing momentum and harming national Net Zero progress. 

Building a better understanding of public concerns and proactively engaging with communities on Net Zero will be a crucial step for utilities, regulators and government officials, if we are to accelerate progress in the next few years. People rightly want their voices to be heard. Leaders have a responsibility to listen and take action accordingly. 

Investigating public perception of Net Zero

Neara set out to investigate the current public perception of energy utilities and Net Zero efforts in the UK. Across a number of studies conducted in 2024, we surveyed thousands of people living in the UK to get their views on:

1. 1. Speed of reconnection following extreme weather events
2. 2. Appetite for clean energy projects
3. 3. The role of AI in supporting Net Zero efforts

The findings were eye-opening. Overall, the data revealed that current public perception around Net Zero and clean energy is deeply fragmented. Some of the key findings show that among the British public:

• – 1 in 3 expect power to be restored 48x faster than the current Ofgem guidelines 
• – 1 in 4 say power cuts are rising, having become more frequent in their area over the past five years 
• – People are twice as likely to support new pylons if they are built for clean energy  
• – 2 in 5 people (41%) would be willing to pay higher prices if their energy was reliably renewable

• – Over 40% believe that AI and technology will have a positive impact on climate action
• – More than 1 in 3 (35.7%) believe that AI and other technological solutions will enhance energy security and resilience

Tackling division with communication

Public perception holds power when it comes to driving Net Zero progress. Any division must be tackled with clear, effective communication from industry leaders, government and utilities. This is absolutely critical to unlocking a cleaner energy future.

Read on to access the full report for a deeper analysis of the data, including regional and generational variations in attitudes, an overview of exactly how leaders can begin to enhance engagement with the public on Net Zero, and the role technology has to play in building public trust in new initiatives. 

Read on for the full report:

Introduction: UK Net Zero – progress, challenges, and the role of public perception

As the international deadline for Net Zero draws ever closer, and we increasingly see the effects of climate change impacting communities across the globe, leaders around the world are facing increased pressure to demonstrate action and show movement towards a cleaner energy society.

Amid this global movement, the UK is doubling down on its efforts to become a ‘clean energy superpower’, striving to lead on Net Zero progress and establish itself as a significant player in the green transition.

A change in government in July 2024 saw the introduction of the Great British Energy Bill. This watershed bill aims to establish a publicly-owned energy organisation focused primarily on driving the UK’s clean energy progress: increasing renewables generation, improving energy security and efficiency, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Alongside its commitment to reaching Net Zero by 2050, the UK government has also outlined a number of additional clean energy targets over the past few years. 

At COP29, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer unveiled the UK’s new nationally determined contribution (NDC) target (part of the Paris Agreement) which commits to reducing “all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 81% by 2035, compared to 1990 levels”.

A series of successive carbon budgets have also been set, which limits emissions within each carbon budgetary period. The current period is the fourth to date and aims for a “52% reduction in emissions by 2027”.

Signs of progress 

Promising signals have been received which demonstrate some of the positive impacts the UK’s net zero efforts are achieving. 

A report commissioned by the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) in February 2025 found that the UK’s net zero sector had grown 10% year-on-year. This translated into a significant £83bn boost to the economy and accounted for almost 951,000 jobs (2.9% of the UK’s total employment).

In July 2024, the Climate Change Committee (CCC) noted some progress in the UK’s efforts to achieve its decarbonisation and emissions targets. It found that emissions (excluding those from aviation and shipping) had more than halved since 1990 and that the UK had met all of its three carbon budgets to date. 

Despite these positive indicators, the overall consensus is that much more needs to be done to ensure that the UK remains on track to reach its ambitious, and crucial, Net Zero targets.

Obstacles blocking the road to Net Zero

Energy utilities and industry leaders are working tirelessly to innovate and find new solutions to help accelerate progress and drive the UK closer to reaching its green energy goals. 

However, a number of obstacles remain which threaten to stall these efforts and even rewind Britain’s clean energy progress, including:

• – Energy security concerns linked to global conflicts
• – The rising impact of climate change and extreme weather
• – Aging infrastructure and a lack of renewables capacity
• – Increased energy demand – and AI’s intensive energy consumption

Alongside these challenges, there is one critical issue that often gets overlooked: public perception. 

As the UK works toward its Net Zero targets, public opposition to clean energy initiatives is increasingly becoming a major barrier. Despite ongoing government and industry efforts, wavering public support and the rise of ‘Not-in-My-Backyard’ (NIMBY) attitudes are slowing progress toward green energy goals.

As the government pushes forward with plans to expand clean energy infrastructure, it faces mounting resistance from local communities concerned about the impact on their surroundings, livelihoods, and daily lives. This growing opposition is a significant roadblock to achieving a resilient and sustainable Net Zero transition.

Nimbyism and the power of public opinion

Residents up and down the UK are understandably concerned over the sudden influx of new energy infrastructure proposals, such as the 370,000 miles of new power lines and pylons estimated to be needed in pursuit of Net Zero targets. 

Among objections are the impact that new energy infrastructure could have on the local landscape, as well as fears over the effect on house values and the impact on people’s daily lives. 

These concerns are fuelling a rise in co-ordinated action and legal challenges from local residents and campaigners, which are stalling planning permission and slowing the progress of new renewable energy infrastructure.  

Sir Keir Starmer has repeatedly spoken out on the issue, vowing to stop campaigners’ efforts to stall planning progress for new infrastructure projects. 

However, meeting fire with fire stands to only intensify public opposition and nurture growing discontent among energy consumers. Attention must shift towards engaging with the public on energy and Net Zero issues and striving to achieve a mutual solution. 

Prioritising public perception

Engaging with and properly understanding public perception is absolutely crucial for energy utilities, regulators and government officials, if we are to unblock the road to Net Zero and accelerate progress. 

A consistent theme within opposition to clean energy plans is that people feel as though their voices are not being heard. People rightly want their concerns to be listened to, taken seriously, and considered within plans that will undoubtedly affect their lives and local areas. 

The disconnect between public opinion and those in power who are leading clean energy efforts must be bridged if we are to establish an effective route toward Net Zero.

At Neara, we set out to investigate the current public perception of energy utilities and Net Zero efforts in the UK. We wanted to understand where the true pain points lie and how industry leaders can go about addressing and overcoming these within their communities. 

Over the course of multiple studies conducted in 2024, we surveyed thousands of people living in the UK to get their views on:

1. 1. Speed of reconnection following extreme weather events
2. 2. Appetite for clean energy projects
3. 3. The role of AI in supporting Net Zero efforts

Through our findings, we hope to highlight the importance of public perception in driving clean energy progress. We believe that as an industry, we must work together to engage with consumers, address opposition and build the collective support needed to achieve our ambitious, but vital, Net Zero goals. 

The findings: research into public perception of the UK’s clean energy efforts

1. 1. Reconnection following extreme weather: the expectation gap 

As climate change gathers pace, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events is increasing across the UK. Strong winds, flooding, heavy rainfall and wildfire all pose a significant risk to energy infrastructure and often lead to power outages for households and businesses. For example, during Storm Eowyn in January 2025, more than 1 million consumers were left without power across the UK. 

According to Ofgem guidelines, utilities should be aiming to restore power to properties that become disconnected within 12 hours during normal conditions and 48 hours during extreme weather events. 

However, our research uncovered an acute discrepancy between these recommendations and the speed at which the public expect their electricity to be reconnected. 

1 in 3 expect power to be restored 48x faster than current guidelines

According to a survey of 2000 UK adults commissioned by Neara in November 2024, 1 in 3 people (31%) living in the UK believe that utility companies should restore power within 1-2 hours following a severe storm. This is 48x faster than the Ofgem guideline. 

A further 1 in 4 respondents (24%) expect power to be restored within 3-5 hours. Only a tiny percentage (4%) of respondents said they would expect it to take more than a day for power to come back online. 

These findings highlight a significant gap between public expectation and the reality of restoration timelines during major weather events. Power restoration can involve complex challenges for engineers amongst often dangerous conditions, particularly if a storm is still ongoing, or further harsh conditions are expected. 

The expectation gap can damage consumer trust while piling additional pressure on utilities that are already facing unprecedented challenges. Addressing public perception and engaging with consumers about the impact of climate change on energy infrastructure is critical. We need to improve communication, reset expectations and rebuild trust, so that both utilities and consumers are supported as we continue to adapt to the impact of fast-evolving climate conditions on the grid. 

1 in 4 say power cuts are rising 

Our research also revealed that 1 in 4 respondents believe power cuts have become more frequent in their area over the past five years (27%). 

Nearly a third of all respondents (31%) felt the frequency of power outages had remained the same, while 16% believed they had decreased.

Across all respondents, Londoners were the most likely to report an increase in outages (37%), while those in Northern Ireland were the least likely (20%). 

Existing variations in energy infrastructure across the UK may be partly responsible for this regional disparity, with certain areas experiencing a higher number of outages to begin with. The data points to a need to address this imbalance in energy supply and infrastructure health. Levelling up across the grid will have a key role to play in driving equitable climate protection and energy security. 

Praise for communication from utilities

Despite disparities in perception of power cut frequency and expectations for rapid restoration, respondents were generally satisfied with how utilities communicate with them during outages. 

The majority (52%) said their utility company communicates “very well” or “quite well” during power outages. Similarly, 45% of people felt that utilities restore power quickly. 

When asked where they would turn for accurate, real-time information during a power cut, a quarter (24.8%) of respondents said they would rely on their utility company or energy provider. Only 13% were unsure where to turn or had no specific source for accurate information during a power cut. 

When it comes to the impact of extreme weather on the grid, and the frequency and handling of outages, a level of discrepancy remains between public perception and the realities utilities face. Prioritising communication with consumers is key to maintaining trust, rebalancing expectations, and reducing pressure on engineers. This means delivering greater public education on the role utilities play – from who is responsible for each stage of the energy infrastructure to what it actually takes to get power back online. It also relies on stronger signposting of resources that people can turn to for advice and support when affected by power outages. Communication must further extend to building greater awareness of the role each of us can play as individuals in combating the impact of climate change on the grid. 

1. 2. Public appetite for clean energy: who cares?

Increasing the generation and use of renewable energy across the UK is a key factor in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving Net Zero. This cannot be done without some changes for consumers – from the introduction of new energy infrastructure in their local area to changes in energy pricing. Understanding current public perception of these factors is crucial for utilities to be able to drive renewables progress and avoid opposition. 

Building new energy infrastructure

We set out to understand how the UK public really feels about green energy infrastructure being built in their backyard. A survey of 2,000 UK adults conducted on behalf of Neara by Censuswide in May 2024 allowed us to draw a clear picture of public perception and analyse regional and generational differences. 

Public pylon support doubles if built for clean energy

The research revealed that people are twice as likely to support the installation of new pylons close to their home if they know it would unlock access to more sustainable, renewable energy. 

• – When asked how supportive or opposed they would feel if a new pylon was installed within a two-minute walk of their home, just 1 in 10 (12%) respondents said they would be supportive.

• – However, this number more than doubles to 1 in 4 (26%) respondents confirming they would be supportive of new pylons if assured the infrastructure would increase clean energy transmission. This represents a 117% increase in support.

The finding suggests that the importance of green initiatives holds weight within the public consciousness and has a notable impact on attitudes and support for new energy infrastructure. However, the size of this support still varies. 

Support for clean infrastructure varies by region

In every region of the UK, the number of respondents in support of new pylons increases when they are told the installation will boost clean energy transmission. However, the overall level of support for pylons varies from region to region:

• – The biggest increase in support when respondents were informed of the new pylons’ clean energy purpose was found in Yorkshire and the Humber
• – In this region, the percentage of people who were pro-pylon rose from 9% to 31% – a rise of 244%
• – Respondents living in Greater London showed the highest initial support for new pylons (15%)
• – This rises to 23% of London-based respondents (an increase of 53%) when they are told that the pylons would unlock more renewable energy